MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox, Rays Linked To Mets' Pitcher, Dodgers Eyeing Closers Before 2019 Deadline

A few of the best closers in baseball could be traded before Wednesday’s 2019 MLB trade deadline. The New York Mets appear willing to deal Edwin Diaz for the right price, and Pittsburgh Pirates’ reliever Felipe Vazquez is drawing interest.

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Boston Red Sox are viewed as top contenders for Edwin Diaz, while the Tampa Bay Rays have also been doing work on the 25-year-old. SNY’s Andy Martino reported Monday that the Los Angeles Dodgers are a possible landing spot for Diaz.

The Mets acquired Diaz in a blockbuster trade this past offseason that also sent Robinson Cano to New York. The trade has turned out to be an early disaster for the Mets with the prospects they gave up thriving in the Seattle Mariners’ system and the major-leaguers they received in return failing to meet expectations.

That includes Diaz, who is posting career-highs with a 4.95 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. The right-hander led MLB with 57 saves in 2018, pitching to a 1.96 ERA with 124 strikeouts in 73.1 innings.

Before giving up a run in his last outing, Diaz had made six consecutive scoreless appearances. He’s under team control through the 2022 season.

Boston is expected to add bullpen help as they make a push toward the postseason. Only five bullpens in the American League have a worse ERA than the Red Sox, who have not been able to adequately make up for the departure of Craig Kimbrel.

The Rays have one of MLB’s top pitching staffs. They’ve reportedly been aggressive in trade talks. Diaz’s age and cheap salary make him a logical option for Tampa Bay.

The Red Sox and Rays are separated by just a half-game as they compete for a wild-card berth. Tampa Bay is a half-game out of the second wild-card spot and 10 games in the loss column behind the New York Yankees in the AL East.

The Dodgers are the best team in baseball. The bullpen is their biggest area of need. Adding a quality reliever could help them finally get over the hump following two straight World Series defeats.

Vazquez has been much better than Diaz in 2019. He’s got 21 saves, a 1.87 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and 68 strikeouts in 43.1 innings.

Landing Vazquez could be costly. Olney has reported that Pittsburgh wants Gavin Lux, Los Angeles’ No.1 prospect, in return for the closer. The Dodgers appear unwilling to agree to such a deal.

L.A. has one of the best minor-league systems in baseball. They could find a way to acquire an impactful reliever while holding onto Lux.

One day before the trade deadline, the Dodgers have a 6.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves for the best record in the National League.